Monday, March 26, 1945

Met Jack at 10 at the Savoy where we had a luxurious corner overlooking Hyde Park. We were so pleased with each other and the view that we could hardly nibble our toast. Went out then and found a fine basement bar where we drank gin all the afternoon and Jack planned our married life. It is rather dangerous fun I suppose. He's perfectly serious - is so sure of us. Somebody told us to go to Gretna Green in Scotland and get married. Fortunately we had tea and sobered a little. Looked for hotel rooms from a cab to no avail - then I went to the hotel where I have been before...buried my heart...we got rooms on the same floor - very nice. I went to dinner at the Berkeley with Jno. Green. Came back and found a note on my pillow, "I love you". We got an early train - Jack very sweet to me - he left me at Swindon.

Sunday, March 25, 1945

Very busy day - called on a lot of wards - took home town papers which is always fun. Sally White visited the wards with me - her first experience. Saw Bria and told him his cousin may come to see him. Took him some comfort articles - treat him like a child, he is so tired and in pain, but he brightens a little and says "Vir -gin-ia". Makes my heart ache, and also swell with maternal solicitude. See progress there.

Jimmie called - gave me a number - very busy. Jack got on the train in Swindon - happy as a drunk. We got to London in no time and went to the Red Cross where he billeted. I got one at 10 Charles and we sat and talked 2-1/2 hours. Told some G.I. we were married - that's how he "rated" me. He's crazy and wonderful to know. A bomb went off at 11.30 - I trembled for Jimmie whom I couldn't reach by phone. It was the church near the Scala Theatre. Another bomb went in half an hour. An alert at 2.30 - Jack had to leave me then.

Saturday, March 24, 1945

Jack arrived after the radio program. Very amusing to see him admitting his state of mind about me. He was always independent - women have never bothered him - even the one he once married. We had a jolly reunion with cafe royales in the office in the evening. He's so much in love he's crazier than ever. We howl with laughter over it - went to a pub and got mixed up with G.I.s - such fun with him. Everybody gathers around...a man's man, a good soldier. Then we went walking in the moonlight and found a farm yard to pause in. Home late and coffee in the mess. Jack wondered if he should take me over his shoulder coming in the gate...I merely wondered if I should walk in with him as he is an "enlisted man". I like that guy, I'm nuts about him!

Found my battle fatigue case - Charles Bria. Was able to get him to talk. Satisfying. He repeated my name - "Vir-gin-ia".

Friday, March 23, 1945

Got up at 4.15 AM to great new patients - 66 - some psycho-neurotics. Most of the men smile and acknowledge your greeting and accept cigarettes and gum. Some are too tired. I was so struck with one face - tortured, painful, unseeing - that I asked Capt. Eschelbecher to find out which ward he was sent to. Will follow up the case.

Jack called again - misses me - coming tomorrow. Good to see him. ARC entertainers on the radio, tiring to take them to the wards, but gratifying when the boys liked them.

Thursday, March 22, 1945

Worked on my psycho-neurotic patient today - the artist - Underwood. He got a haircut to please me and looks better. He's one of those unhappy lost souls, they attach themselves to you - and why not? I personally cut his fingernails, and gave him some nice soap and talcum. He was pleased - has a remarkable talent for illustrating his pain. Several new artists in #22 - Jack's old ward. One is fine. I had coffee tonight and showed the other one his work. Missed Jack.

On the radio talked about Oxford and Phyllis played the accordion. Jack left this AM after we got back at 9.30 - carrying a very heavy barracks bag - he's visiting friends in Swindon. Called me tonight, misses me terribly, "Did I tell you I love you? I love you!". This I have heard from a different voice in the last month. Jimmie hasn't called this week. Jack is sincere, serious. I have a heartache so big and frightening that I simply have to close my mind. Jack has probably saved me from idiocy.

Wednesday, March 21, 1945

Jack came to the door at 9.30 am while I was in robe and PJs - all ready to go with me to Oxford! I flew around, got ready and met him on the square downtown. We had coffee and began our hiking to Oxford 39 miles away. Stopped at three pubs, rode on trucks, all English rides. Arrived at Lechlade, about 1/3 of the way, and took the train. We barely caught it - such fun. We found rooms at the ARC in Oxford - ran across Willard Fairchild in the officers' lounge, and we three walked around the colleges - saw Exeter - Jesus - New - Lincoln - the silence and tranquility of those quadrangles with their ancient turf is beyond telling. Jack and I adored the houses and apartments on the adjacent streets. They all have bright brass door knockers, and are clean and inviting. We had rum at the Mitre bar - and were very merry. Dinner there - took a 5 o'clock train home. We were alone in a dark carriage - delightful business. Jack is in love with me.

Tuesday, March 20, 1945

Drinking my 8th cup of coffee now at 11.00 and planing to catch a ride to Oxford in the AM - hope Jack can get away to go with me. He leaves here tomorrow - 7 day furlough, then a replacement pool ( hated words), then limited service. He has enough shrapnel here and there to keep him out of active combat again. Good man - wounded four days in a row before they got him down as he was applying a tourniquet to a pal. A third man was killed nearby. Was offered a field commission, but his C.O. was wounded at the same time. His account of intrigue in Montevideo is the funniest thing I ever heard. What a good friend - or companion. Or is it even better than that?

(pictured: Sgt. Jack C. Strong)

Monday, March 19, 1945

Again felt the dreadful doubt that Jimmie would come, but it was grand to think about all day. I felt like going to bed in the PM, and Dusty suggested it, so I came to the hut and took a nap. Sure enough at 5.30, Corp. Kingdom came over and said Jimmie was staying in London. Why all this should make me sick, I can't tell. I want him to stay, but the sight of him is so dear to me that it is pure, simple pain to know I won't see him - nor do I believe he has not changed. He doesn't need me now - incredible. Everything I have ever wanted to hear a man say to me Jimmie has said - except one, and that is impossible. Now silence, when even one day's separation used to be intolerable for him. Do people change so quickly? Even Kingdom said, "He plays terrifically, of course he's terrific in other ways!".

God help me, they bombed Marble Arch, and broke the Cumberland windows.

Sunday, March 18, 1945

AM - Played a record to surprise Barney - his wife, Kitty Kallen, singing "I Walk Alone" with Harry James' Orchestra.

Waited for Jimmie - then realized no trains from London till 8.30 - gave up. Jack dashed off suddenly for the weekend to get drunk, I know why. I heard on the radio he was back so I looked him up in Ward 22 and had coffee. He was still mellow - said "You always look lovely to me" - shall miss him, we can talk in this lonely war. I sought out Jack in my misery and stayed while he put on the ward request program. Then we had coffee. He hates to leave me. I shall be lonlier than ever. What an ironic, bitter world. He goes Wednesday.

Served tea to Col. Davenport and Olive (his fiancee) and her cousin, Sally. Sally is a darling girl - the nicest I've met here. She likes Saki, too. Col. Millman was there. How can I help worrying about Jimmie? But I'd go back anytime to be with him. Only it's gone, I know. That wonderful, terrible newness of love and a new world and life, suddenly the way it should be.

(pictured: Sally White from Birmingham)

Sunday, March 18, 1945

Waited for Jimmie - then realized no trains from London till 8.30 - gave up. Jack dashed off suddenly for the wekend to get drunk. I know why. I heard on the radio he was back, so I looked him up in Ward 22 and had coffee. He was still mellow - said "You always look lovely to me" - shall miss him, we can talk to each other in this lonely war.



Served tea to Col. Davenport, Olive (his fiancee), and Sally, her cousin. Sally is a darling girl - the nicest I've met here. She likes Saki, too.

(pictured: Sally White from Birmingham)